1. How does it feel to be the parent of your child?
My daughter’s name is Mia and she is now nine years old. Mia is an amazing child and I am privileged to be her mother. From the moment Ethan and I adopted her, she had our hearts. Mia is the daughter I’ve always wanted and much more. Unfortunately she suffers from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Children with APD are unable to process information in the same way as other children. In the process of hearing, she is unable to understand unless the environment is quite. I have to make sure to talk to her in a slightly slower pace and make eye contact.
2. How is your child developmentally the same or different from other children at the various ages?
Mia has struggled in school for quit some time. For a long time, her teachers thought she had ADHD because she had problems concentrating for long periods of time. Finally, when she turned 7, the doctors diagnosed her with APD or sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder CAPD. The first thing I did, was research what it was and how to help her. Luckily we were able to get a speech therapist through our doctor. I also keep in close contact with Mia’s teacher, so that modifications can be made and she can learn to her best abilities.
3. What professionals/agencies do you deal with? What services are available to you and your child?
Some of the professional agencies I deal with are a speech therapist, who was recommended by our physician. Mia also goes to the speech teacher at school during certain periods of the school day. I also communicate with the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorder, for any suggestions they have to offer. Currently, I am also looking into getting a IEP for Mia.
4. How did you find out about the above services?
Before Mia was diagnosed I would research online, based on what I knew she was having a hard time with. It wasn’t until she was seven years old and the doctor diagnosed her, that we were able to really do something. Our doctor was amazing and helped to make us aware of the services that were available. We than choose to look into a speech therapist to help her differentiate between different sounds. Our speech therapist than recommended that we contact the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders to help create a positive and more productive environment for Mia.
5. What financial burden, if any, are you experiencing?
Fortunately, the speech therapist is covered by our insurance and we just had to elect for Mia to have speech class at school. There is not too much of a financial burden, it’s more about taking the time and being patient with Mia’s needs.
6. What other information do you want to share?
For other parents who have a child with APD, don’t be discouraged. They just need a lot love and support, like any other child. A few tips that I can give you are to be patient, provide them with a quite study environment, look at them in the face when you want them to understand something, give simple expressions, repeat directions, and always be consistent with them by providing structure. Also you can check out a beautiful picture of Mia and some facts about APD on my glogster site.
P.S. I love this picture of her and I’m sure you will too.
http://ccavina85.glogster.com/Aditory Processing Disorder/
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